Anatomical gripping system for gripping the leg and foot of a patient when effecting hip distraction and/or when effecting leg positioning

Abstract

An anatomical gripping system comprising: a binding comprising: a substantially rigid spine; a calf shell mounted to the substantially rigid spine; an anterior shell; and a clamping mechanism connecting the anterior shell to the calf shell; wherein the calf shell comprises a flexible portion configured to selectively engage the superior portion of the calcaneus bone of a patient; and further wherein when the clamping mechanism applies a force to the flexible portion of the calf shell, the flexible portion of the calf shell is drawn into engagement with the superior portion of the calcaneus bone of the patient.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method for distracting a hip joint, the method comprising:
 providing a binding for gripping a lower leg and foot of a patient, the binding comprising:
 a calf member comprising a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being movable relative to the first portion; and 
 a tensioning mechanism configured to apply a force to the second portion of the calf member; 
   positioning the calf member along the calf side of the lower leg of the patient;   tensioning the tensioning mechanism to apply a force to the second portion of the calf member, whereby to hold the second portion of the calf member superior to the calcaneus bone of the patient; and   applying a distracting force to the binding.   
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein the tensioning mechanism is connected to the second portion of the calf member. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein the binding further comprises a plantar member configured to extend under the foot of the patient. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein the plantar member is connected to the first portion of the calf member. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein the second portion comprises a cantilever. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein the binding further comprises an anterior member. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38  wherein the tensioning mechanism is connected to the anterior member. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein the force applied by the tensioning mechanism comprises an anteriorly-directed force. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein the second portion of the calf member is drawn into the superior portion of the calcaneus bone when the tensioning mechanism applies the force to the second portion of the calf member. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein when the distraction force is applied to the binding, the second portion of the calf member inhibits relative motion between the calcaneus bone of the patient and the binding. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 38  wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply a clamping force between the anterior member and the calf member, whereby to grip the lower leg of the patient above the malleoli bones. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 33  further comprising covering at least a portion of the lower leg with a soft wrap. 
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 44  wherein the soft wrap covers the lower leg of the patient superior to the malleoli bones. 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 44  wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply a clamping force onto the soft wrap. 
     
     
         47 . A method for distracting a hip joint, the method comprising:
 providing a binding for gripping a lower leg and foot of a patient, the binding comprising:
 a calf member comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is flexible relative to the first portion; and 
 a tensioning mechanism configured to apply a force to the second portion of the calf member; 
   positioning the calf member along the calf of the lower leg of the patient;   tensioning the tensioning mechanism to apply a force to the second portion of the calf member, whereby to hold the second portion of the calf member superior to the calcaneus bone of the patient; and   applying a distracting force to the binding.   
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 47  wherein the binding further comprises an anterior member. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 48  wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply a clamping force between the anterior member and the calf member, whereby to grip the lower leg of the patient above the malleoli bones. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 47  further comprising covering at least a portion of the lower leg with a soft wrap. 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 50  wherein the soft wrap covers the lower leg of the patient superior to the malleoli bones. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 50  wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply a clamping force onto the soft wrap. 
     
     
         53 . A method for distracting a hip joint, the method comprising:
 providing a binding, the binding comprising:
 a calf member comprising a first portion and a second portion, the second portion movably connected to the first portion; and 
 a tensioning mechanism configured to apply a force to the second portion of the calf member; 
   positioning the calf member along the calf side of the lower leg of the patient;   tensioning the tensioning mechanism to apply a force to the second portion of the calf member, wherein when the tensioning mechanism applies the force to the second portion of the calf member, the second portion of the calf member is drawn in an anterior direction, whereby to hold the second portion of the calf member superior to the calcaneus bone of the patient; and   applying a distracting force to the binding.   
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 53  wherein the binding further comprises an anterior member. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 54  wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply a clamping force between the anterior member and the calf member, whereby to grip the lower leg of the patient above the malleoli bones. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 53  wherein when the distraction force is applied to the binding, the second portion of the calf member inhibits relative motion between the calcaneus bone of the patient and the binding. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 53  further comprising covering at least a portion of the lower leg with a soft wrap. 
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 57  wherein the soft wrap covers the lower leg of the patient superior to the malleoli bones. 
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 57  wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply a clamping force onto the soft wrap.